Overview
Are you interested in working within the field of newborn screening? Would you like to be part of a team that screens over 55,000 newborn babies each year for inherited and congenital conditions, making a meaningful difference to patients and their families? The successful candidate will play a key role within the South East Thames Regional Newborn Screening Laboratory, providing a vital service to over 55,000 babies annually. You will work collaboratively with Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants, and Clinical Scientists, and be part of a wider network of 18 laboratories across the UK and Ireland.
Our laboratory provides screening for newborn babies using various technologies for the following conditions:
* Congenital hypothyroidism
* Phenylketonuria
* Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency
* Maple syrup urine disease
* Homocystinuria
* Glutaric aciduria type 1
* Isovaleric acidaemia
* Cystic fibrosis
* Sickle cell disorders
* Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1
* Severe combined immunodeficiency
Techniques include PCR, HPLC MS/MS, immunoassay and enzymatic techniques. Use of pipettes, centrifuges, plate shakers, and analytical equipment will be part of the role.
Other responsibilities will be to receive, book, sort and archive specimens, maintain and operate analytical equipment, prepare reagents and patient batches. The post‑holder will be expected to work in accordance with laboratory quality and health and safety policies and standard operating procedures.
The successful candidate will work closely with Clinical and Senior Biomedical Scientists and must be able to reliably and efficiently communicate with all grades of staff within and external to the department, as well as other external centres, being the point to call for external queries and referrals via telephone and email. Attention to detail and good communication skills are a must in this role. You will be expected to work under pressure both as part of a team and independently, maintaining accuracy.
Our department works to the guidance and newborn blood spot screening standards and pathways laid out by NHS England and the national screening committee. The national screening committee is an evidence‑based programme which means tests offered are continuously evolving over time, making this department particularly dynamic.
This is a full‑time, permanent position (37.5 hours per week), working Monday to Friday, 09:00‑17:30.
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